Emergency medical cost advance payment

Never give up treatment in an emergency for lack of money. A scheme exists to treat you first.

What it is

Where you have received emergency care but cannot pay immediately, a national fund pays the hospital first and you repay later. Remember this is money to be repaid, not a grant.

• It covers emergency care for emergency symptoms.
• Foreigners can apply in some cases. Ask the hospital.
• Repayment terms follow the guidance given. Instalments are sometimes possible.

Eligibility and procedure can change. Always confirm with the hospital's administration office and the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service.

Steps

1. Tell the administration office in the emergency room that you cannot pay now.
2. Complete the advance payment application. The hospital will guide you.
3. Submit identity documents.
4. Receive repayment guidance after discharge.
5. If repayment is hard, contact them in advance and discuss instalments.

Also worth checking

• 129 — ask whether support you do not repay, such as emergency welfare medical support, applies.
• The hospital's social work office — they connect you to other schemes.
• See medical-fee-support.

Where to go

• The administration office of the treating hospital
• Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service www.hira.or.kr
• 129 Health and Welfare Call Centre
• 1577-1366 · 1345 interpretation

Questions people ask

Can foreigners use it? In some cases, yes. Ask the hospital's administration office directly. Don't assume you can't.

What if I don't repay? There is an obligation to repay. If it is difficult, contact them in advance and discuss instalments. Going silent is the worst option.

Does it cover non-emergency care? It covers emergency care. For ordinary care, look at other support schemes.

Can I apply after discharge? There are deadlines. Contact the hospital and the assessment service immediately.

Take care

In an emergency, treatment comes before worrying about money. Call 119 and explain your situation at the hospital. Both repayable and non-repayable schemes exist. Losing your life by delaying treatment is the greatest loss of all.

Related

medical-fee-support · emergency-room-use · ambulance-cost · foreigner-medical-support · emergency-welfare

Source

Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service www.hira.or.kr / As of 2026-08